1: Chanel Body Excellence Slim (150ml)
$166, from Chanel counters
Chanel expands its bodycare line with this anti-cellulite gel which promises to tone and tighten flabby skin while hastening the breakdown of fats.
The lightweight gel is quickly absorbed into your skin, making it perfect for Singapore's humidity.
2: Clarins High Definition Body Lift (200ml)
$82, from Clarins counters
This improved version of the Clarins bestseller Total Body Lift has microspheres that melt on contact with the skin. This increases the absorption of extracts from the likes of blue button flower, sunflower and baccharis (a type of shrub) that are said to firm up the skin, leaving a fresh, tingling sensation.
3: Bio-Essence Celebrity's Choice InchLoss Body Cream (200g)
$25.90, from Watsons and Guardian stores
This cream warms up on contact, which the brand claims will help 'burn' away excess fats in the abdomen, thighs and arms.
Ingredients like capsicum, ginger, ginseng and caffeine give the warm sensation and are said to enhance the fat-burning process.
4: Cristalle 21 Svelte Curve (60ml)
$88.60, from Cristalle de Paris
Keep yourself from looking bloated because of water retention: Use this cream which contains ivy extract, said to help in the drainage of excess water in fat cells. This can be applied to both body and face.
5: Vichy Cellu.Metric Day/Night (28 sachets, 8ml each)
$79, from Watsons and Guardian stores
Embark on this 14-day programme that promises 24-hour action against cellulite. The day formulation breaks down fat deposits while the night version prevents fats from being stored in cells. It comes in 28 single-use sachets.
6: La Defonse France Active Cellulite Arm Gel (65ml)
$19.90, from Stardust
Fight flabby upper arms with this formulation of herbal extracts like cocoa and hops that encourages the breakdown of cellulite. The nifty roll-on device makes application a breeze.
KEEP EXPECTATIONS IN CHECK
These creams may work but be realistic, say doctors.
While they may improve the appearance of your skin by smoothening out 'orange peel' skin caused by cellulite, they will not get rid of lumpy fat deposits completely or help you shed the kilos.
To achieve these, a healthy diet and exercise regimen are still your best bets.
One way these creams work is by moisturising and hydrating skin so fine wrinkles are filled out, resulting in the appearance of taut, plump skin.
Such creams also contain ingredients such as caffeine which are said to speed up the metabolism of fat cells so that they reduce in size. To see results, use once or twice a day as indicated for at least a month.
Information provided by Dr Jean Ho, a consultant dermatologist at Joyce Lim Skin and Laser Clinic at Paragon Medical Suites, and Dr Vanessa Phua, a family physician with an interest in aesthetic medicine at Asia HealthPartners in Lucky Plaza.
This article was first published in Urban, The Straits Times.
